Improvement in nutmeg-graters



"0. H, PIBRS0N& o. W. FERGUSON',

Nutmeg-Gratef.

No. 203,767. Patented.May14,1s7s.

UNITED STTES NPATENT OEEIOE.

CHARLES H. PIERSON AND CHARLES W. FERGUSON, OF JANESVILLE, WIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN NUTMEG-GRATERS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent N0. 203,767, dated May 14, 1878; application filed April 9, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES H. PIER- SON and CHARLES W. FERGUSON, of Janesville, inthe county ofRock and State of Wis' to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The title clearly indicates the nature and Object of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represets a view in perspective of a nutmeg-grater embracing my invention; Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 an end view.

The grater proper or trough A is a long flat box, open at both ends, and provided with a top perforated grating surface, a, through which the grated nutmeg falls into said trough. This trough is provided with a handle, b, by which to manipulate it in the carrying-case B, which carrying-case is preferably a tin plate bent into box-like form, and open at both ends and the bottom, but having ways c c, On which the trough slides, and which prevent said trough from yingits work. Near the middle of the top of this carrying-case B is the hole d, by which the nutmeg is brought iu contact with the gratter-surface a of the slide-trough.

The hole d is walled in by a nutholder, C, the wall whereof is cut by opposite slots e c, to admit the rod f, which carries the nutpresser g Within .the nut-holder. This rod f is fastened at one end of the case (the end toward the person of the user) bya coiled sprin g, h, while at its other end there is a thumb or finger piece, t', the rod and its spring being for practical purposes of the lsame piece of metallic wire. Thenut-presser gis punched like the grating-surface a, in order to form a hold or grasp for the nutmeg.

Now, by placing the nutmeg in its holder C, which may be effected by lifting the rod f until there isroom to admit it, and pressing upon the thumb or finger piecewith one hand while manipulating the trough-grate with the other, the grated nutmeg falls into the trough, from which it may be emptied through either open end.

By this construction the carryn g-rod for the nutmeg-presser crosses the nutmeg-holder, leaving the projecting end of said carrying-rod in better position to receive the pressure of the finger, while the Spring exerts a constant pressure upon the presser to keep the nut in place when the grater is not in use.

The construction of the pressure-spring, consisting of the coil fastened to the carryingcase and the long rod passing through the slotted holder and terminating in the iingerpiecc, gives not only the advantage of a continuous direct pressure, but operates as a lever. It also permits of an easier manipulation, since the ngers or thumb are not stretched and cramped or inconvenienced by the grasp; nor can the ngerpiece rest upon the top of the holder in pressing it down. The lou g spring-rod gives a stronger pressure than a coil within the holder can. This arrangement of the sprin g, moreover, allows the use of a holder open at its outer end, and thus gives greater convenience in inserting the nutmeg.

We claim- In a nutmeg grater, the presser-carrying Spring-rod f h, arranged to cross slots ce in the holder C, and provided Witha finger-piece, t', at one side of said holder, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing We have affixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. PIERSON. CHARLES W. FERGUSON. Witnesses: i

COLLIN C. MOLEAN, H. MOELROY. 

